An endangeredspecies is a population of an organism which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation...

The primary causes of speciesextinction or endangerment are habitat destruction, commercial exploitation (such as plant collecting, hunting, and trade in animal parts), damage caused by nonnative plants and animals introduced into an area, and pollution.

Endangeredspecies, such as the California condor, are at immediate risk of extinction and probably cannot survive without direct human intervention.

An endangeredspecies is a population of organisms (usually a taxonomic species), which because it is either (a) few in number or (b) threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters, it is at risk of becoming extinct.

The loss of a species in and of itself is an important factor, both as diminution of the enjoyment of nature and as a moral issue for those who believe humans are stewards of the natural environment.

The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that endangeredspecies continuing to survive.

The truth is that the populations of many species are decreasing at an unsustainable rate, and the number of species listed as endangered from marine life families such as whales, dolphins, manatees and dugongs, salmon, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks to name a few, are on the rise.

The EndangeredSpecies Preservation Act of 1966 was established in the U.S. to protect species facing possible extinction, but it only covers native species and the extent to which they are protected is extremely limited.

The green turtle is endangered or threatened; the hawksbill turtle is endangered; Kemp's ridley turtle is endangered; the leatherback turtle is critically endangered; the loggerhead turtle is threatened; and the olive ridley turtle is endangered or threatened.

The EndangeredSpecies Act (7 U.S.C. et seq.) of 1973 or ESA was the most wide-ranging of dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s in an attempt to halt or reverse the degradation of the environment.

At the ecosystem level, the Act requires that endangeredspecies be granted "critical habitats" which encompass all areas necessary for their recovery.

In essence, this meant that, if an endangeredspecies was found in one's private land, one would not be able to use that land no matter how much revenues could be generated from using the land, for using the land destroys the habitat of an endangeredspecies.

Species that receive protection under the ESA are classified into two categories, "Endangered" or "Threatened," depending on their status (how many are left in the wild) and how severely their survival is threatened.

A species that is listed as Endangered is in danger of becoming extinct throughout a significant portion of its habitat range (the areas where it lives).

A species is proposed for reclassification if the status of the species worsens (the species moves from Threatened to Endangered) or if the status improves (the species moves from Endangered to Threatened).

A species is considered a species of special concern if, although the species is not endangered or threatened, it is extremely uncommon in Minnesota, or has unique or highly specific habitat requirements and deserves careful monitoring of its status.

Species on the periphery of their range that are not listed as threatened may be included in this category along with those species that were once threatened or endangered but now have increasing or protected, stable populations.

Note that the federal EndangeredSpecies Act of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 - 1544) requires the U.S. Department of the Interior to identify species as endangered or threatened according to a separate set of definitions, and imposes a separate set of restrictions pertaining to those species.

www.dnr.state.mn.us /ets/index.html (559 words)

Endangered Species(Site not responding. Last check: )

The EndangeredSpecies Act (ESA) of 1973, was written to provide a means for the protection of all endangered and threatened species of life.

It is stated that all federal agencies shall insure that their actions "are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangeredspecies or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification" of the critical habitat.

Any species which is likely to become an endangeredspecies within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Students can research specific endangeredspecies and describe why they are endangered and what measures, if any, are being taken to protect them.

Today, there are many endangeredspecies (plants and animals) that could also be gone soon: species like the African cheetah, the South American otter, the Chinese panda, the Arctic polar bear, and almost every species of whale.

When species like these are in danger of extinction, they are classified as "endangeredspecies." The most important reasons for the endangerment of species are: (1) habitat destruction, (2) overhunting, (3) pollution, and (4) accidental killing.

As with the other endangeredspecies in the Edwards region, threats are from diminished springflows and pollution of groundwater and runoff caused by increasing demand for water and burgeoning development over recharge areas.

These species are not likely adapted to surviving long periods of drying (up to several years in duration) that may occur in the absence of a water management plan for the Edwards Aquifer that accommodates the needs of these invertebrates.

The listing of these species was not based on a known decline in the number of individuals or the known locations, but rather on evidence that all these species are subject to threats to their continued existence throughout all or most of their range.

In the last 500 years, 844 species - like the passenger pigeon, auk, thylacine, and quagga - are known to have died out, and up to 16,000 others are now known to be threatened.

Two thirds of turtles could be gone by the 2025, great apes have recently declined by over 50% in parts of Africa, half of marsupials and one in three amphibians are in jeopardy, and a staggering 40% of Asia's plants and animals could soon be lost.

Conservationists argue that humans have an ethical obligation to protect other species, that diversity and natural beauty are highly prized by mankind, and that biodiversity is a vital resource: we rely on ecosystems to provide food, oxygen and natural resources, recycle wastes and fertilise soils for agriculture.

EndangeredSpecies are those whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are in immediate danger because of a loss or change in habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease, disturbance or contamination.

Species names in the below tables link to PDF documents containing identification, habitat and status and conservation information.

Additionally, in 2003 twelve species were highlighted as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the NJ EndangeredSpecies Conservation Act.

State EndangeredSpecies - An endangeredspecies is a native species whose prospects of survival or recruitment within the state is in imminent

State Threatened Species - A threatened species is a native species that, although not presently in danger of extirpation, is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future in the absence of special protection and management efforts.

Category I - A native species with a presently stable or increasing population that current evidence indicates is especially vulnerable to extirpation because of limited range, low population or other factors.

EndangeredSpecies Day provides an opportunity for schools, museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, agencies, businesses, libraries, community groups and conservation organizations to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangeredspecies and highlights the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants.

There are many creative ways that you can celebrate EndangeredSpecies Day including: lead a bird walk focusing on an endangeredspecies in your area, host an event at a local nature center, prepare an educational lesson plan for a local school about endangeredspecies, and include articles in your newsletters or outreach materials.

Audubon's Public Policy Office is working aggressively to educate key members of Congress, mobilize activists, and dispel EndangeredSpecies Act myths in order to help ensure the survival of America's most vulnerable birds and wildlife.

The Pacific Leatherback is listed as Critically Endangered, and it is feared it could possibly go extinct in the next 5-30 years unless immediate action is taken to remove the threats that are endangering the species.

Species in need of conservation attention that are near extinction, or in danger of extinction in the long term.

The EndangeredSpecies Coalition is a national network of 360 conservation organizations, scientific associations, religious organizations, hunting and fishing associations, businesses, community organizations, humane societies, student groups, and concerned citizens working to protect endangeredspecies and habitat.